Flickr

Meta

Categories

NYC RENOVATION QS: WHAT’S BEST FOR KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS?

Q. I’m redoing my kitchen and trying to figure out the best material for the countertops. I like the look of granite, marble, Caesarstone, Silestone, soapstone and concrete. What are the pros and cons of each based on heat, stains, price and the time it’ll take to finish the project?

A. The countertop is a crucial decision in a kitchen–it’s the surface that you interact with the most, it’ll get the most use (and abuse) of any surface in the house, and it’s the visual touchstone of your kitchen. Here’s a rundown of each option you’re considering.

Prices for these six materials fall within the following ranges:

Granite: $200/square foot

Marble/caesarstone/silestone: $175/square foot

Soapstone: $200/square foot

Concrete: $300/square foot, starting at a minimum of $10,000 for an average kitchen. The price reflects the labor involved, rather than the materials alone, since its a matter of having crews available to do all the work